The league table comprises a list of healthcare interventions in ascending order (from low to high) of their incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). The ICER is frequently expressed as cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained. If the goal of the healthcare system is to generate as many QALYs as possible, then a cost per QALY league table represents a prioritised list of interventions, from high priority (low cost per QALY) to low priority (high cost per QALY).

See also:
Cost effective (healthcare economics)
Cost effectiveness analysis (healthcare economics)
Quality of life (QOL)
Quality-adjusted life year (QALY)